Texas Bandmasters Association
Bandmasters Review • December 2015
15
After 28 years of teaching at
both the public school and college
level, I continue to realize how
much time and organization it takes
to successfully take a band to UIL
Contest. Along with my University of
Houston responsibilities, I am very
fortunate to be working with students
and directors in Texas public schools
almost every single day. It is those
experiences that allow me to offer
some advice and suggestions as you
begin preparing your ensemble for
UIL Contest.
Eligibility
• Depending on your school climate
and socioeconomic background, you
must always be mindful of eligibility
factors that could perhaps prohibit
your ensemble from participating. In
order to prevent last-minute eligibility
issues, distribute a departmental
progress report at least two weeks
before the end of the 6 (or 9-week)
and/or 3-week grading period. It may
be necessary to give students--who are
consistently ineligible--more than one
progress report…..and even one for
each week leading up to the end of the
grading period.
• Target the students who do not
turn in a progress reports AT ALL.
These students are most likely failing
multiple classes and do not want you
or their parents to know.
• Do NOT allow students to EVER
turn in progress reports that are
incomplete. This usually means that
the student is failing whatever class is
“missing.”
• Be aware that students will
sometimes get their progress report
filled out…..except for the one class
they are failing……and will tell their
parents there was a substitute…
and will get their parents to sign
the progress report anyway….and
will return to school the next day
to obtain the “missing” grade and
signature—meaning that the parent
has no idea their child is failing a
class. Unfortunately, it then becomes
your job to inform the parent that
their child is actually failing a class.
Mentors, Clinicians and
Pre-UIL Judges
• Particularly regarding MS/JH
non-varsity directors: seek out advice
from your co-workers, as well as
your mentors/clinicians, regarding a
borderline decision as to whether or
not your band should go to UIL. This
decision should be based on eligibility,
numbers, and the probability of
all remaining students having an
educationally beneficial experience.
• When selecting music for UIL,
reach out to your mentors/clinicians
for advice regarding literature you
are considering. Be prepared to offer
as much information as possible
regarding your ensemble’s strengths and
weaknesses (if they have yet to hear
your ensemble), instrumentation, etc.
• Carefully go through and process
the information given to you by anyone
who listens and/or works with your
ensemble. Make new markings in your
score (perhaps in a different color)
to ensure that this “new/different”
information is communicated to your
students.
• Hold
students
absolutely
accountable for any markings that
you require them to add to their
music. After telling students to mark
something, the best use of your time
is to walk around the set-up with your
score and monitor that students are
actually marking…..and that they are
making accurate and clear markings.
You must discipline yourself to make
students mark something every day….
no matter if is a breath mark, an
accidental sign, or something. If you
do not, then students will never buy
into the importance of being required
to have and use a pencil.
• If, after going through either
written or recorded comments
from your Pre-UIL judges, you do
not understand something that is
communicated, do not hesitate to
reach out and contact the judge.
Contest-Related Tasks
Of the many responsibilities you
have in regards to things that have to
be done prior to UIL, be mindful of a
few very highly important things:
• Contact the director of the host
school to identify which “end/lead”
student will lead the group from the
warm-up room to the stage…and also
from the stage to the sightreading room
(if different).
To read all of Mr. Benzer’s handout from his recent TBA clinic, go to the TBA website or use this link:
Are You Ready for UIL Contest?
John Benzer
